A low profile would be useful, but i'm not sure if the same logic would apply to urban combat since you're dealing with rebels and not other tanks. But the tanks should be fast and have more soft attack capabilities since the biggest threat would be a vehicle. And if there are other tanks, the main gun should be able to do the job against the opposition. Even with armor it would be smaller than current tanks are now.

April 10th, 2005

SHERMAN

Well, I would say that it would be somthing like a Merkava tank, only with the turret replaced. The new turret would have a 20 gatling gun, an AGL, and a lot of smoke dischargers.

But to me, the MBT is just that: a multy purpose ultra protected vehicle, that can be used for urban and open terrain operations.

- crew of 2. 1 gunner/commander and 1 driver
- Same height as a hummer, same width, longer than hummer
- Turret would have a 20mm Gatling mounted and remotely operated - both crew would be in the main body of the vehicle
- vehicle will be wheeled
- enough armor all around to withstand IED and RPG (even if it means having nets)
- Smoke dischargers
- AGL and 2 7.62 MG's, 1 facing opposite direction of 20mm gatling and one on a mount, , allowing the commander/gunner to fire it independently of the turret guns.
- 20mm Gatling will fire 4 round sets of munitions. 1 tracer, 1 DU, 1 HE and one Ball. This will allow it to knock out almost any armoured vehicle or building they may run into.

April 12th, 2005

Kozzy Mozzy

I don't think having a crew of 2 is a good idea. M1 crews have found that having both the loader and commander heads up and looking around allows for twice the situational awareness

April 12th, 2005

FO Seaman

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushpig1998

Ideally...

- crew of 2. 1 gunner/commander and 1 driver
- Same height as a hummer, same width, longer than hummer
- Turret would have a 20mm Gatling mounted and remotely operated - both crew would be in the main body of the vehicle
- vehicle will be wheeled
- enough armor all around to withstand IED and RPG (even if it means having nets)
- Smoke dischargers
- AGL and 2 7.62 MG's, 1 facing opposite direction of 20mm gatling and one on a mount, , allowing the commander/gunner to fire it independently of the turret guns.
- 20mm Gatling will fire 4 round sets of munitions. 1 tracer, 1 DU, 1 HE and one Ball. This will allow it to knock out almost any armoured vehicle or building they may run into.

A 20mm Vulcan Canon remotely control? Hmm, not a good idea. The M61 cannon throws out 3,000 RPM and they don't make ball rounds for the gun its DU or HE. The gun would rip apart anything it is used against and the 20m is prone the overheating and jamming, and there is always the possibility of the remote hydraulics and turret jammming when hit with an RPG or IED. A crew of 2 is also a bad idea.

April 13th, 2005

godofthunder9010

My idea of a specialized Urban Armored Assault Vehicle:
1.) Small target, low profile with a tight turning radius. Need to be able to squeeze through tight quarters where needed or easily pull off a tight precision turn if necessary.
2.) The best armor possible. That means it would be tracked. Tracks are less vunerable to ... oh, the odd RPG for instance. Best if the tracks have the best protection available too.
3.) A broad range of weapons options. A main gun is a plus in some , a 30 mm machine gun is better in other cases.

April 13th, 2005

bushpig1998

Well, for awareness, thre would be better, but I mentioned 2, since this would effectively mean that the vehicle is something like a ground based attack vehicle (more or less like the apache is in the air). Also the more crew, the larger the vehicle will have to be. While you don't want a pickup running around Faluja, you really want something smaller than a bradley. The tracks is a sore point. Yes, it is more reliable, but cuts down severely on speed. a 6 wheeled vehicle would seem better for urban combat (and more quiet too).
The 20mm gun will have to be mounted in a small hydraulic operated turret. The reason I vote for this weapon is its ability to take out anything hiding behind a building and also take out armored vehicles if needed. A secondary weapon suchs a GPMG or .50 cal can take care of situations where a 20mm isn't needed.

April 14th, 2005

godofthunder9010

Its all about multiple weapons configurations!! Sure, a main 110 mm gun might be great for one circumstance, but the 25mm like the Bradley is better for a lot of things. Have the option to add or remove a TOW or modified version of the Javelin for vehicles. Whatever is most useable for a smaller vehicle and best suited for the needs of the given situation.

Point taken on wheels vs tracks. I suppose it depends on whether speed is an over-riding factor. Probably is but I suppose it depends on what you're doing with said vehicle.

April 14th, 2005

bushpig1998

Oh I agree on multiple configurations. A Modular design with a quick disconnect for weapons systems would be ideal. Kinda like switching uppers on an AR15?
The general concesus, I think, is that whatever vehicle it is, it should be smaller, more heavily armoured than and abrahms that moves faster and carrie AA as well as AT and AP weapons. Hmmmm sounds like a miracle to me. Fact is, there is no ideal weapon that would suit every need of every action.
IMO (and I know I'm biased and I keep going on about it) the Ratel or Caspirr will still do best in urban combat. They are mine/IED resistant, can take a beating and the are relatively fast. With the turreted Ratel90, you have a 90mm gun that can take out armor and buildings alike. Or take a regular ratel and mount 2 50's on it. I know the Caspirr has an small turret at the rear as well, in addition to the MG turret up front.